Keller @ Large: Business Confidence Down Again

BOSTON (CBS) - The state legislature wrapped up its budget last week with what seems like a positive step toward reining in budget-busting municipal health-care costs, although it's still entirely possible Gov. Patrick, ever conscious of not undermining his role as a national spokesman for the Obama re-election campaign, may torpedo it.

And we continue to hear noises out of Beacon Hill suggesting that a deal on expanded casino-style gambling may be at hand, which might partially address our need for new revenue and jobs, someday, maybe, if we're lucky.

But while we're all on the edge of our seats waiting to see if our political leaders can do anything to sort out the fiscal mess in the public sector, there's little suspense about the decaying situation in the private sector.

According to the monthly survey of area businesses prepared by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, business confidence was down yet again last month, sliding to its lowest rating in nine months.

According to the State House News Service, Ray Torto, a senior economist for AIM, terms the confidence rating "another setback for an economic recovery that has struggled to gather momentum."

Listen to Jon's commentary:

If you stopped paying attention to this sort of thing after being reassured by last year's Patrick re-election campaign that we were leaving the recession behind, this may come as a shock.

The story they'll try to sell you is that it merely reflects worsening national and international conditions, but while there's some truth in that, it's mostly spin.

AIM's members cite three roadblocks to renewed business confidence and the new jobs that come with it: economic uncertainty, the high cost of doing business here, and problems finding workers with the right skills.

Maybe the state can't clear up all our economic worries, but cutting business costs and investing more in higher education is within their purview, and they haven't done it, certainly not enough to turn the tide.

But not to worry.

In five years or so, you won't need to leave the state to lose your shirt at the slots anymore.

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.